THEN...
Where Am I Now? - Tampa, Florida
What do I look like? - Come to Tampa and see me on TV!
What have I done in my life? - My name is Don Germaise and I was in the class of 1976 at Newton South (Mrs.
Eileen Mandel was my homeroom teacher).
I am currently living in Tampa, Florida and am working as a News Reporter for
WFTS-TV, the local ABC affiliate. I've been here seven years. I worked at ABC
affiliates in West Palm Beach and Ft. Myers before landing here in Tampa.
I am living a dream. I wear make-up and tell stories for a living and I go
swimming on New Years' eve. I am also wildly and passionately in love with my
family. . .
I have a wonderful wife, Jeanne and a perfect 7 year old daughter, Alexis.
Spent college at the University of Florida, moved back north for a year and
got sick of winters. I've been a Florida boy ever since. I even manage to
root for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays!!
I managed to land a gig as the 1984 Olympic mascot (That was me in the "Sam
the Olympic Eagle" costume during the Los Angeles Olympics).
Professional highlights: I won't bore you with awards. . . I've won my share
-- but who cares! Here're the top thoughts in 20 years as a newsman. . . .
I have managed to interview every President since Jimmy Carter, was
broadcasting live when the Space Shuttle Challenger blew up and lived through
Hurricane Andrew. I have been shot at, nearly burned up in a wildfire and
invited on a drug run with one of Florida's most notorious dealers. I spent
weeks undercover picking through trash dumpsters looking for tax documents. I
spend weeks aboard Disney Cruise ships broadcasting live from their
inaugurals.... News reporting is a varied and exciting existence.
Not sure if I'll be able to make the reunion. November is a "sweeps" and it's
hard to get time off during the crucial ratings period.
Best of luck with the reunion.
Don
THEN...